Cancer threat: ultra-processed foods lead to increased risk

New research shows the consumption of ultra-processed foods is linked to an increased risk of developing cancer.

A study, funded by the World Cancer Research Fund and Cancer Research UK, provides new evidence of a link between ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of developing cancer.

The first UK study of its kind, by researchers from Imperial College London, used UK Biobank data to assess the diets of 200,000 people between the ages of 40 and 69. 

Individuals involved in the project completed 24-hour dietary recalls during a three-year period. The ultra-processed foods that were being consumed were assessed against the risk of developing and/or dying from 34 different types of cancer over a period of 10 years.

Foods such as hotdogs, frozen meals, flavoured yogurt, packaged snacks, and fast food are classed as being within the processed food group, which researchers discovered a 2% increase in being diagnosed with any cancer and a 6% increase in dying from cancer of any kind.

These food groups are often relatively cheap, convenient, and heavily marketed as opposed to healthier options. According to research reported by the Barbecue Lab one third of Americans eat fast food between one to three times a week and spend 10% of their income on it.

Experts also found that with each additional 10% increase in consumption of processed food, there was a 19% increased risk for ovarian cancer and a 30% increase of dying from it. The likelihood of dying from breast cancer also increased by 16% the more people ate processed foods.  

Dr Eszter Vamos, Lead Senior Author for the study, from Imperial College London’s School of Public Health, said: ‘This study adds to the growing evidence that ultra-processed foods are likely to negatively impact our health including our risk for cancer.

‘Given the high levels of consumption in UK adults and children, this has important implications for future health outcomes.

‘Although our study cannot prove causation, other available evidence shows that reducing ultra-processed foods in our diet could provide important health benefits.

‘Further research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the best public health strategies to reduce the widespread presence and harms of ultra-processed foods in our diet.’

Findings of this study have been published eClinicalMedicine, an online open access journal. 

Photo by Alan Hardman